After two days, iGBA, the first iPhone emulator, was removed from the App Store, but that’s not Apple’s fault. In fact, it’s more complicated.
This weekend, the application iGBA appeared on the iOS and iPadOS App Store, allowing users to transform their iPhone into Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance. However, two days later the app was removed. For what ? Contrary to what one might think, Apple is not the fault.
In reality, iGBA is a plagiarism of GBA4iOS, an open Source emulator. Apple said it removed iGBA for two reasons: spam (scam) and copyright (copyright issue). However, the brand does not detail the reasons for its decision more precisely. Besides, other emulators will arrive on the App Store.
Why does Apple now allow emulators?
For a long time, Apple banned emulators from the App Store. However, the brand recently relaxed its rules, allowing developers to market their applications on the App Store. Why now ? First of all, the European Digital Markets Act pushed Apple to relax its rules. Then, the United States is on the back of Apple, which is gradually reducing its rigor.
Emulators are coming to the Alt Store and App Store
Although the first emulator has been removed from the App Store, this does not mean that emulators are no longer allowed. Indeed, as Numerama explains, GBA4iOS, the open Source emulator which inspired iGBA, is preparing its arrival on the Alt Store, a competitor to the App Store.
In short, it’s a missed opportunity on the iPhone. We can expect to see new emulators arriving on the App Store in the coming months, or on the Alt Store, an alternative to the App Store, which already offers open Source emulators.
